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India is poised to become the largest global scotch whisky market in value and volume terms over the next few years, fuelled by competitive intensity, premiumisation and economic growth, Scotch Whisky Association Chief Executive Mark Kent CMG has said. Mark Kent also appreciated the rise of India's single malt whisky, saying the Scotch Whisky Association is looking for partnerships with them not only for export to the UK market but also to explore other global markets together. Noting the emergence of the Indian single malt category, some of which recently won several prestigious international accolades, the chief executive said he is going to speak with the Indian Malt Whiskey Association, as they share the same views on the importance of quality in manufacturing and working together. This is a significant opportunity for both the Indian and Scottish industries. There is an opportunity for Indian companies to boost exports of Indian single malt to the UK and forge partnerships for
South Indian states dominate the sales of IMFL, accounting for 58 per cent revenue in FY25, with Karnataka retaining the top national slot by contributing 17 per cent of the pan-India volumes in FY25, according to data from industry body CIABC. Five Southern states - Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Telangana, along with Union Territory Puducherry, have retained their dominance in the sales of the Indian-Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL), consuming 23.18 crore cases (jointly contributing 58 per cent sales) for the financial year ended on March 31, 2025. "South's dominance is near-absolute" in IMFL sales in FY25, with "the rest of India shares the remaining 42 per cent", said data sourced from the Confederation of Indian Alcoholic Beverage Companies (CIABC). However, on a pan-India level, sales volume of IMFL Whisky has declined 1.4 per cent year-on-year in FY25 to 40.17 crore cases. When asked, CIABC Director General Anant S Iyer said overall sales have been slow in FY25
India is a high priority market for the leading Scotch whisky and premium spirits maker William Grant & Sons, with potential to become one of its top five markets globally in the coming years, a top company official has said. The family-owned premium spirits company, which owns various brands, including Glenfiddich, Monkey Shoulder, Balvenie and Hendrick's Gin, entered India 10 years ago. And the growth in the country has been very promising, William Grant & Sons India Managing Director Sachin Mehta told PTI. The Scotland-based premium spirits maker has unveiled 'The Balvenie Fifty', a 50-year-old ultra-rare Speyside single malt scotch whisky in the Indian market. Only one bottle of The Balvenie Fifty First Edition' aged in a European oak refill cask, filled in 1973, has been made available in India, offering a unique opportunity for collectors and connoisseurs to own a piece of whisky history. When asked about its price, Mehta said: "Balvenie Fifty is probably going to be in .
India has slashed import duty on bourbon whiskey to 50 per cent as it warmed up to negotiating a mega trade deal with the US. The reduction in customs duty on bourbon whiskey was notified on February 13 just ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's talks with US President Donald Trump. However, there has been no reduction in basic customs duty on import of other liquors. They would continue to attract 100 per cent duty. The US is the primary exporter to bourbon whiskey to India accounting for about one-fourth of all such liquor imported into India. As per the notification issued by the Department of Revenue, bourbon whiskey would now attract 50 per cent customs duty on its import. It was 150 per cent earlier. India has imported bourbon whiskey worth USD 2.5 million in 2023-24. The major exporting countries include the US (USD 0.75 million), UAE (USD 0.54 million), Singapore (USD 0.28 million) and Italy (USD 0.23 million). India and the US have resolved to more than double the two